Former World Team Pursuit Champion and a reigning Australian
and Oceania Champion Ashlee Ankudinoff is ready to put a
difficult 2014 behind her. A year that saw illness hurt her
chances and force her to withdraw from a number of key targets
left Ankudinoff on the back foot.

After reassessing and taking a step back Ankudinoff is back on
the path that saw her part of the team that has claimed the
only team pursuit world title not won by Great Britain in
2010. The final few months of 2014 have been a success with
the Oceania scratch race title despite being sick, silver in
the team pursuit at the London Track World Cup and regaining
her national omnium title.

2015 sees Ankudinoff targeting results in both the individual
pursuit and points race at the National Championships. With
the real goal following later in February, a return to the
team pursuit squad for the World Championships.

PelotonWatch: Heading in to the Oceania
Championships you had good form and fitness what were you
hoping for?

Ashlee Ankudinoff: After having a good couple
of months under my belt training back home in Sydney I was
hoping to get my track season off to a good start. Wanting to
finish on the podium in each of my races.

PW: You came out flying to take the scratch
race on the opening day, what did the win mean to you?

AA: It was tough to take that win as I had
been sick in the lead up to this day and I knew to beat a few
of the quicker girls in the bunch I had to be prepared for
attacks. I made sure it came down to a bunch finish and made
the sprint as short as possible which enabled me to sprint to
victory. It was a good win for me knowing I was ill and was
still capable both physically and mentally to achieve that
Oceania win.

PW: Things took a turn though and you came
down with illness. Mentally how did this impact you?

AA: It was a bit of a kick in the guts for me
to become sick "again". For the last few years I have also had
good form leading into important races but have been let down
with my sickness. I had the rest of Oceania Championships off
to recover and then was onto my next goal, that being London
World Cup.

PW: At the London World Cup you took a step
closer towards GB in the team pursuit. Do you feel you are
making progress on reducing the gap to them?

AA: We are certainly reducing the gap and
it's exciting. Our training has been harder than ever and it
was a good confidence booster for us. I know we left London
happy with the result but wanting to close that gap even more
to GB.

PW: You were part of all three rounds what do
you think of the change in format?

AA: It was very challenging having three 4km
team pursuits in one day, we went to London prepared though
and coped with it well. It was tough but it was tough for
everyone we just knew that all our hard work we had been doing
back in Adelaide had prepared us well for this new format.

PW: You are the only active rider not from GB
to have ever won the team pursuit rainbow jersey. Does this
give you extra motivation to try and reclaim it?

AA: It was a very special moment standing on
that top step with the rainbow jersey with 2 of my teammates
it certainly does motivate me more than ever to become World
Champion again. Great Britain have been very dominant for the
last few years now but I know that the girls in the squad are
determined to get those exclusive rainbows very soon.

PW: You had an up and down year. What was the
most difficult part and do you feel it has been character
building?

AA: The most difficult part was actually
getting that motivation back every time I had hit that hurdle.
But I had a lot of support from family, friends, coaches and
NSWIS staff in Sydney. Yes it was a character building 12
months and I'm learning more about myself and my capabilities.

PW: You reclaimed your omnium national title
in December bringing your tally to three and drawing even with
Nettie Edmondson. Were you happy with your performance?

AA: I was ecstatic to win another omnium
national title. It was great to come home from London a week
earlier battle jet lag and hold onto some form. I was pleased
with how consistent I was, not necessarily winning events but
being consistent and I feel that is what won it for me.

PW: Track Nationals are coming up next week
what has your preparation been like and what are you hoping to
achieve?

AA: I would say my preparation for nationals
has been the best for many years. I have had a good solid
block of training since Christmas in Adelaide so I am looking
forward to seeing how my form will be. I am aiming for a
podium in both the points race and individual pursuit. A PB in
the IP would be very nice as well.

PW: You missed out on riding the team pursuit
at the World Championships last year is getting back in to the
squad a big goal for this year?

AA: It's been the biggest goal, all my focus
on the track has been towards the Team Pursuit. I'm hoping all
the hard work I have done since last 12 months at least and
will get me to the World Championships in Paris and be one of
the 4 selected teams pursuit riders.